https://www.montcopa.org/1585/Community-Connections Community Connection Navicates are skilled human service professionals…who are knowledgeable about charitable organizations, county, and state resources. They can […]

Services

The Community Outreach Program has been established in the Norristown Area to provide support to persons who need assistance in accessing both behavioral health and general support services. Our Outreach specialist provides direct interaction with local businesses, social service agencies, shelters, police departments, hospitals, churches, the library, neighborhoods, and drop-in centers to identify persons in need of outreach and support, who may or may not already be receiving behavioral health services.

We strive to maintain a working, educational and supportive relationship with individuals, organizations and businesses in the Norristown area and surrounding communities in Montgomery County. We also aim to educate individuals and organization about the community services and resources available for them to access. It is our goal to collaborate with local behavioral health systems and respond to persons with behavioral health needs and co-occurring disorders who are experiencing difficulty in locating treatment, support, or meaningful social activities, and/or who may be homeless or in danger of becoming homeless. Work closely with the coordinators of homeless outreach center (CHOC).

Location

The Clinical Wellness Recovery Team (CWRT) is a program aimed to help improve the physical and behavioral health care that an individual receives. The team consists of a Registered Nurse and/or Behavioral Health Therapist who work collaboratively with individuals to coordinate care. Communication is established and maintained with the individual’s Primary Care Physician (PCP) and their Psychiatrist as well as any medical and behavioral health provider, treatment team member, and support system. The Navigators will demonstrate a focus on interventions designed to coordinate ongoing care for the individual. This could include helping the individual gain access to services, health and disease screening, and education regarding medications and diseases. The Navigator will act as a health advocate to help members receive ongoing and appropriate care. They are able to support clients in their homes, at medical appointments and evaluation, and facilitate and advocate for medical follow-up. In addition, some other services they are able to provide include: offering information and resources to members about help with tobacco cessation, exercise, dietary restrictions, and health maintenance. They will also notify the PCP and psychiatrist upon entry to/discharge from an inpatient hospitalization. The Navigators provide health monitoring for members on atypical antipsychotic medication. And, if an individual is having difficulty maintaining recommended treatment compliance, our Navigators can help them work through barriers to adherence with their medical and behavioral health care.

The Clinical Wellness Recovery Team was launched in 2008 by the Center for Health Care Strategies as part of a multi-state, national effort to improve quality care and reduce expenditures for Medicaid members with complex medical and behavioral health needs. The Department of Public Welfare in Pennsylvania has joined in this initiative as a way to reduce costs and provide better care.

Referrals

Individuals must be 18 years or older, have a serious mental illness (SMI) diagnosis as well as a chronic physical health problem, and live within eastern and central Montgomery County. In addition, clients with medical assistance and insurance through Magellan will need to submit a recent psychiatric evaluation within the past year.

Location

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy. Although initially intended to help chronically suicidal individuals diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, DBT has since been adapted for and used to effectively treat a number of other psychological problems. The central dialectic within DBT is to balance acceptance of the person exactly as s/he is in this moment with intense efforts to change the person’s life to increase adaptive functioning and decrease maladaptive behavior. The overarching goal of treatment with DBT is to help individuals develop “a life worth living.”

DBT was originally developed for individuals who suffered from borderline personality disorder, a psychological condition in which people have great difficulty managing their emotions. DBT has also been adapted to treat other psychological problems in which the clinical feature of the presenting symptoms stem from maladaptive efforts to control intense, negative emotions or emotional dysregulation.

Central’s DBT program has four major components:

Weekly individual (one-to-one) therapy

Weekly group skills-training sessions

As-needed consultation between client and therapist outside of sessions

Central’s DBT program requests a commitment of 6 months, with a mutual decision to recommit for an additional 6 months. A participant would not be in the program longer than a year. The research studies conducted on DBT for BPD have all included one year of treatment or less. Unfortunately, this does not mean that individuals should expect to be completely free of symptoms or no longer have problem behaviors at one year. Research suggests that “behavioral control”, that is the absence of suicidal behaviors and other life-threatening behaviors as well as severe quality-of-life interfering behaviors, can often be achieved within four to eight months of comprehensive DBT.

Referrals

Individuals, ages 18 years and older and living in eastern and central Montgomery County, who would like to begin this modality of treatment will first complete an intake through Central’s Outpatient department. Requirements include: identification of past attempts to have mental health needs met with other community based supports; diagnosis of borderline personality disorder or multiple mental health diagnoses, exhibiting behaviors characterized by impulsivity or intentional self-harm, and severe dysfunction across multiple life areas. Contact an intake worker at our Outpatient & Intake Services location to schedule your confidential appointment. Once the intake is completed, an application will be completed by your behavioral health professional and submitted to the DBT program. Participants must be willing to commit to participating in all individual and group skills appointments and we request a 6 month commitment when you begin this empirically supported program.

Location

Feeling sad or depressed? Do you find yourself worrying about the future or feeling stressed and overwhelmed? Going through a major life transition? Our team of therapists can provide the assistance that you need during this difficult time.

Central’s Outpatient Program offers mental health and co-occurring services to adults, children and families who live primarily in the eastern and central Montgomery County area. Services include a comprehensive intake evaluation, integrated mental health and co-occurring treatment, crisis and emergency intervention, psychiatric evaluations and pharmacological management. Treatment modalities include individual, couples, family and group therapy, as well as, medication management. We also have an Administrative Case Manager on site to offer individuals additional assistance with locating resources, completing forms and applications, and presenting additional referrals based on the specific need addressed. Treatment is provided on a voluntary basis and utilizes a strengths based approach to address all issues.

Our therapists and counselors use various evidence based treatment approaches including cognitive-behavioral techniques, brief psychotherapy, and behavior modification. Medication, if needed, is prescribed by a psychiatrist who generally sees clients on a monthly basis. We also offer “open access” therapy times where a therapist or counselor is available for individuals on a “walk in” basis. Once in treatment, an integrated strengths based treatment plan is formed by the therapist and client to specifically address each person’s unique needs and goals.

Program Objectives

To assist people with less severe behavioral health and co-occurring concerns return to their normal level of functioning.

To help people in crisis return to more stabilized functioning.

To assist individuals improve coping strategies and management of life transitions and stressors.

To improve individuals level of functioning and overall quality of life.

To assist persons with mental health and co-occurring issues strengthen their resources so that they may remain in the community.

Location

Central's Recovery Coaching & Case Management Services are provided through various levels of care which also include Administrative Case Management and Senior Care Case Management. These programs are designed to reduce homelessness and hospitalizations for individuals struggling with behavioral health and co-occurring issues. Our Recovery Coaching and Case Management Services promote a higher level of independent living by providing assistance in accessing appropriate resources, support and treatment as well as maintaining basic living needs and skills such as obtaining housing, food, medical care, recreation, education and employment. The relationship between the consumer and the Recovery Coach is one of a collaborative and mutual nature.

Eligibility

Any Montgomery County resident (18 years of age or older) living in the eastern and central Montgomery County area (Norristown, Conshohocken, Bridgeport, Abington, Willow Grove, Glenside and surrounding communities) and also being treated for a behavioral health and/or co-occurring disorders are eligible for this service. Typically, such individuals have difficulty maintaining support within the traditional facilities-based services and are prone to crisis.

Referrals

Individuals referred to Recovery Coaching & Case Management Services will complete a “Montgomery County Recovery Coaching Referral Application Form” along with their provider (either within Central or an outside medical or behavioral health provider). Our Administrative Case Managers can also assist individuals with the application process. Once the referral application is submitted, if approved, the individual will be assigned to a Recovery Coach and begin services in a timely manner. There is no cost to the individual receiving Case Management Services; these programs are funded through federal, state, and county sources.